Top 12 Rookie Tight End Prospects in 2024

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It’s time to take an early look at the Top 12 Rookie Tight Ends in 2024!


Tight End can be a tough monster to conquer in fantasy football. Long development, paired with inconsistent production and frequent injuries make it a position unlike any other. Just when you think you've found your dynasty tight end of the future, something changes drastically and you have to start from scratch. That's where we look at the Top 12 Rookie Tight Ends in 2024.

For the first time in recent memory, the tight-end position gives fantasy managers more viable options than ever before. Through a mix of veteran studs and breakout youngsters, we finally have a fair amount of depth at a position that has been lacking for as long as I've played fantasy football.

Having said that, scouting and drafting tight ends can be more difficult than any other position. There are simply too many factors at play and even the "generational" prospects are far from certain.

 

Who Are The Top Rookie Prospects For The Coming NFL Draft:
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12. Brevyn Spann Ford – Minnesota Golden Gophers

This tight-end class is not nearly as deep as the 2023 class, so the first few options on the board are going to be mentioned, but shouldn't be considered viable for fantasy. Read up on them briefly, and then file them away under "wait and see". Except for the high-end tight-end prospects in this draft class, I'm going to treat them all as irrelevant for fantasy football until given reason to believe otherwise. Brevyn Spann-Ford falls into that category.

Ford's primary asset is his size. At 6'7" (93rd percentile) and 267 lbs (86th percentile), he is easily the biggest tight-end in a class that is more speed than size. His blocking is subpar and his receiving ability is lacking. If you are looking for a Mo-Alie Cox-type giant, he is the player to target. If Spann-Ford eventually figures into fantasy relevancy, it will be as a short-area or endzone target. His downfield game is almost non-existent.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2019 Minnesota Big Ten FR TE 12 4 25 6.3 1 0 0 0 4 25 6.3 1
2020 Minnesota Big Ten SO TE 6 1 4 4.0 1 0 0 0 1 4 4.0 1
*2021 Minnesota Big Ten JR TE 13 23 296 12.9 1 0 0 0 23 296 12.9 1
*2022 Minnesota Big Ten SR 13 42 497 11.8 2 0 0 0 42 497 11.8 2
*2023 Minnesota Big Ten SR TE 12 25 239 9.6 2 0 0 0 25 239 9.6 2
Career Minnesota 95 1061 11.2 7 0 0 0 95 1061 11.2 7
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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11. Dallin Holker – Colorado State Rams

Holker falls into the average category in this tight-end class. His 6'5" (63rd percentile), 241 lbs (15 percentile) frame is on par with the rest of the class and his receiving chops are up to speed with the others, it's his speed that puts him at the lower end of the rankings. His projected 40-yard Dash time of 4.66 seconds (79th percentile) is far slower than the other tight-end prospects who are in his size range.

He doesn't do anything particularly poorly, he's just all-around average. When you add up the average size, average skills, and below-average speed, you find yourself at TE11. Holker has been viewed as reliable and a big-game performer, so maybe his swagger will allow him to overcome his deficiencies and become a productive NFL tight-end.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2018 Brigham Young Ind FR TE 12 19 235 12.4 1 0 0 0 19 235 12.4 1
*2021 Brigham Young Ind SO TE 13 14 200 14.3 1 1 15 15.0 0 15 215 14.3 1
*2022 Brigham Young Ind JR 3 9 86 9.6 1 0 0 0 9 86 9.6 1
2023 Colorado State MWC JR TE 12 64 767 12.0 6 1 1 1.0 1 65 768 11.8 7
Career Overall 106 1288 12.2 9 2 16 8.0 1 108 1304 12.1 10
Brigham Young 42 521 12.4 3 1 15 15.0 0 43 536 12.5 3
Colorado State 64 767 12.0 6 1 1 1.0 1 65 768 11.8 7
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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10. Erick All – Iowa Hawkeyes

Erick All is similar in size to Holker at 6'5" (63rd percentile) and 250 lbs (38th percentile) and is slightly slower with a 4.90-second 40-yard dash (44th percentile). So, if he is the same size as Holker but slower, why is he ranked high you may be asking? That's simple, this is fantasy football and I care more about receiving ability than I do typical tight-end metrics.

He is nearly identical in profile to Holker but gets the edge because he attempts to be more involved in the downfield passing game. While he doesn't always do it with a great degree of success, it gives him slightly more upside, not that either holds a great deal of upside for fantasy.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2019 Michigan Big Ten FR TE 11 1 10 10.0 0 0 0 0 1 10 10.0 0
2020 Michigan Big Ten SO TE 6 12 82 6.8 0 0 0 0 12 82 6.8 0
*2021 Michigan Big Ten JR TE 13 38 437 11.5 2 0 0 0 38 437 11.5 2
*2022 Michigan Big Ten SR 3 3 36 12.0 0 0 0 0 3 36 12.0 0
*2023 Iowa Big Ten SR TE 7 21 299 14.2 3 0 0 0 21 299 14.2 3
Career Overall 75 864 11.5 5 0 0 0 75 864 11.5 5
Michigan 54 565 10.5 2 0 0 0 54 565 10.5 2
Iowa 21 299 14.2 3 0 0 0 21 299 14.2 3
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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9. AJ Barner – Michigan Wolverines

Barner will be the next in what appears to be a tier of tight-ends with similar size and skill. He is slightly bigger at 6'6" (82nd percentile) and slightly heavier at 251 lbs (41st percentile) than both Holker and All but possesses slightly better speed at 4.70 seconds (70th percentile) on the 40-Yard Dash.

The difference with Barner is overall explosiveness. He isn't an exceptional receiver or playmaker, but he is noticeably explosive. He shows an excellent level of burst that elevates his ceiling above the previous tight ends on the list.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2020 Indiana Big Ten FR TE 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2021 Indiana Big Ten SO TE 12 14 162 11.6 1 0 0 0 14 162 11.6 1
2022 Indiana Big Ten JR 10 28 199 7.1 3 0 0 0 28 199 7.1 3
*2023 Michigan Big Ten SR TE 15 22 249 11.3 1 0 0 0 22 249 11.3 1
Career Overall 64 610 9.5 5 0 0 0 64 610 9.5 5
Indiana 42 361 8.6 4 0 0 0 42 361 8.6 4
Michigan 22 249 11.3 1 0 0 0 22 249 11.3 1
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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8. Theo Johnson – Penn State Nittany Lions

Johnson is the first tight end in Tier 3. He's big at 6'6" (82nd percentile) and 257 lbs (61st percentile) but is significantly faster than the previous tight ends as he runs a 4.54 40-yard Dash (94th percentile). The advantage his speed gives him is a marked improvement from Tier 4 and makes him a potentially dangerous weapon if he can refine his game and develop at the next level.

He runs a limited route tree and needs work as a run-blocker. His potential in the passing game gives him a George Kittle-like upside if he goes to the right destination.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
2020 Penn State Big Ten FR TE 7 4 56 14.0 0 0 0 0 4 56 14.0 0
*2021 Penn State Big Ten SO TE 13 19 213 11.2 1 0 0 0 19 213 11.2 1
*2022 Penn State Big Ten SO 11 20 328 16.4 4 0 0 0 20 328 16.4 4
*2023 Penn State Big Ten JR TE 13 34 341 10.0 7 0 0 0 34 341 10.0 7
Career Penn State 77 938 12.2 12 0 0 0 77 938 12.2 12
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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7. Bryson Nesbit – North Carolina Tar Heels

Nesbit is a total wildcard. At the University of North Carolina, he often operated as an oversized wide receiver. His size of 6'5" (63rd percentile) and 235 lbs (7th percentile) give him a frame that's more suited to that of a tall, thin receiver but for draft purposes, he is listed as a tight end.

While this slender build makes him less of a traditional tight end build, it allows him to be the fastest tight end in my rankings to this point, running a 4.60 second (88th percentile) 40-yard Dash. This added speed, paired with his receiving chops gives him the high upside of any tight end so far.

His receiver-like skillset makes him a crisp and proficient route runner and could give him a great outlook as far as fantasy production is concerned. He plays tight end like a Mike Gesicki-type oversized slot receiver. The question is, will NFL teams play to his strong suits or try and force a square peg in a round hole?

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2021 North Carolina ACC FR TE 11 7 154 22.0 1 0 1 0 7 155 22.1 1
*2022 North Carolina ACC SO 14 35 507 14.5 4 0 0 0 35 507 14.5 4
*2023 North Carolina ACC JR TE 12 41 585 14.3 5 0 0 0 41 585 14.3 5
Career North Carolina 83 1246 15.0 10 0 1 0 83 1247 15.0 10
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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6. Jared Wiley – TCU Horned Frogs

Wiley is a tough player to evaluate. If you base the evaluation solely on his size of 6'7" (83rd percentile) and 253 lbs (48th percentile) and skills in the receiving game, he could be a top-three tight end in this class. If you base it on his speed, it's entirely likely that his 4.80 40-yard Dash speed (44th percentile) would have him off your draft board altogether.

He is big, strong, and physical and has a knack for getting into the open spaces. However, if he is going to record high-level YAC, it will be based on broken tackles and not outrunning defenders.

Wiley reminds me of 2022 tight-end prospect Jalen Wydermyer. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills but his lack of speed caused him to not find his way onto an NFL field. Speed kills. A lack of speed can kill your career prospects. If he can produce at the 2024 NFL Combine and run marginally faster, he possesses the rest of the tools to have a productive career.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2019 Texas Big 12 FR TE 12 1 15 15.0 0 0 0 0 1 15 15.0 0
*2020 Texas Big 12 SO TE 9 9 166 18.4 1 0 0 0 9 166 18.4 1
2021 Texas Big 12 JR TE 11 9 67 7.4 2 0 0 0 9 67 7.4 2
*2022 TCU Big 12 SR 15 24 245 10.2 4 0 0 0 24 245 10.2 4
2023 TCU Big 12 SR TE 12 47 520 11.1 8 0 0 0 47 520 11.1 8
Career Overall 90 1013 11.3 15 0 0 0 90 1013 11.3 15
Texas 19 248 13.1 3 0 0 0 19 248 13.1 3
TCU 71 765 10.8 12 0 0 0 71 765 10.8 12
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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5. Jaheim Bell – Florida State Seminoles

This is where Tier 2 of the rookie tight ends begins. Bell is on the small side for a tight end measuring in at 6'3" (21st percentile) and 244 lbs (22nd percentile), so you can bet he won't be on the field in blocking situations.

What you can bet he will be on the field for will be passing downs. He has elite speed and excellent hands and is a shifty, explosive playmaker. His YAC ability is almost unmatched in this draft class and in the right situation he possesses elite upside.

If it weren't for his lack of size leading to him coming off the field so frequently, it's entirely possible he would be ranked even higher than this. He is a name worth keeping an eye on and could excel if used correctly as a big slot receiver.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
2020 South Carolina SEC FR TE 5 1 29 29.0 0 0 0 0 1 29 29.0 0
*2021 South Carolina SEC SO TE 13 30 497 16.6 5 7 40 5.7 0 37 537 14.5 5
*2022 South Carolina SEC JR 12 25 231 9.2 2 73 261 3.6 3 98 492 5.0 5
*2023 Florida State ACC JR TE 13 39 503 12.9 2 4 2 0.5 1 43 505 11.7 3
Career Overall 95 1260 13.3 9 84 303 3.6 4 179 1563 8.7 13
South Carolina 56 757 13.5 7 80 301 3.8 3 136 1058 7.8 10
Florida State 39 503 12.9 2 4 2 0.5 1 43 505 11.7 3
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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4. Cade Stover – Ohio State Buckeyes

Stover follows the trend of the Tier 2 tight ends. He too is electric on the field but gets dinged because he lacks size. At 6'4" (41st percentile) and 251 lbs (41st percentile) he isn't small but isn't overly big either.

Much like Bell, Stover possesses elite hands and playmaking ability. He combines that with high-end speed, running a 4.55 (93rd percentile) 40-yard Dash. This elite combination of speed and pass-catching ability gives him limitless potential. Like Bell, he will need to find a way to improve his blocking abilities to stay on the field.

A key aspect of tight-end fantasy production is the ability to be on the field. If Stover can stay on the field, he can be fantasy-relevant.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2019 Ohio State Big Ten FR LB 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2020 Ohio State Big Ten FR TE 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2021 Ohio State Big Ten SO TE 13 5 76 15.2 0 0 0 0 5 76 15.2 0
*2022 Ohio State Big Ten SR 13 36 406 11.3 5 0 0 0 36 406 11.3 5
*2023 Ohio State Big Ten SR TE 12 41 576 14.0 5 0 0 0 41 576 14.0 5
Career Ohio State 82 1058 12.9 10 0 0 0 82 1058 12.9 10
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

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3. Ben Sinnott – Kansas State Wildcats

If it weren't for Sinnott's 4.63 (84th percentile) 40-yard Dash being significantly slower than that of Sanders and Bowers, he would be the final tight end in Tier 1. Instead, he finds himself as the leader of Tier 2.

Sinnott is worthy of his tier. He is too slow to be ranked with Sanders and Bowers, but his blocking and pass-catching abilities make him too talented to be ranked with Bell and Stover.

He is an excellent pass-catcher with explosive playmaking ability. His skills at high-pointing the ball to come down with contested catches make him a force to be reckoned with. his route-running precision makes him a deadly weapon in all areas of the field.

Sinnott will not challenge for the TE1 spot in rookie drafts. If he gets Day 2 draft capital and a favorable landing spot, he could easily pass Sanders for TE2.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
2020 Kansas State Big 12 FR FB 0 0 0
*2021 Kansas State Big 12 FR FB 12 2 15 7.5 0 3 12 4.0 1 5 27 5.4 1
*2022 Kansas State Big 12 SO 14 31 447 14.4 4 0 0 0 31 447 14.4 4
*2023 Kansas State Big 12 JR TE 12 49 676 13.8 6 0 0 0 49 676 13.8 6
Career Kansas State 82 1138 13.9 10 3 12 4.0 1 85 1150 13.5 11
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

2. Ja'Tavion Sanders – Texas Longhorns

Sanders is the consensus TE2 at this time and it's easy to see why. While he suffers from the same lack of size that all the high-end tight ends in this class suffer from, he is simply electric.

His 4.56 40-yard Dash (98th percentile), gives him high-end speed that would be good enough for a receiver. While his size of 6'4" (41st percentile) and 252 lbs (45th percentile) is a concern, it matters less for Sanders. He is a serviceable blocker regardless.

His blocking ability should be sufficient to keep him on the field. This could leave his explosive speed and talent just waiting to be produced.

Sanders is closer to Brock Bowers than many would have you believe. He may not be a "generational talent", but he is on par with Bowers in nearly every aspect of the game.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
2021 Texas Big 12 FR TE 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
*2022 Texas Big 12 SO 13 54 613 11.4 5 0 0 0 54 613 11.4 5
*2023 Texas Big 12 JR TE 14 45 682 15.2 2 1 12 12.0 0 46 694 15.1 2
Career Texas 99 1295 13.1 7 1 12 12.0 0 100 1307 13.1 7
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

 

1. Brock Bowers – Georgia Bulldogs

It's little surprise that the TE1 is Brock Bowers, after all, he is a "generational talent". Bowers is viewed by most as the best tight-end prospect we've ever seen, even better than Kyle Pitts.

Bowers possesses the best speed in this tight-end class. He runs a 4.48 (98th percentile) 40-yard Dash and is the best playmaker in the class.

Similar to Sanders, people regard him as small for a tight end, standing at 6'4" (41st percentile) and weighing 240 lbs (13th percentile), but these measurements hold little significance. Bowers is an electric creator of offense and to waste his talents blocking would be criminal.

If you want fantasy football upside in a tight end, this is your guy. His profile would indicate he should be the best fantasy tight-end in the history of the game, but he's going to come at the cost of an early-to-mid-round pick in rookie drafts.

Receiving & Rushing Table
Receiving Rushing Scrimmage
Year School Conf Class Pos G Rec Yds Avg TD Att Yds Avg TD Plays Yds Avg TD
*2021 Georgia SEC FR TE 15 56 882 15.8 13 4 56 14.0 1 60 938 15.6 14
*2022 Georgia SEC SO 15 63 942 15.0 7 9 109 12.1 3 72 1051 14.6 10
*2023 Georgia SEC JR TE 10 56 714 12.8 6 6 28 4.7 1 62 742 12.0 7
Career Georgia 175 2538 14.5 26 19 193 10.2 5 194 2731 14.1 31
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 2/1/2024.

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Thank you for reading my list of the top 12 Rookie Tight Ends for 2024! I hope you enjoyed it and took some information from it! To see how these tight ends stack up against the rest of the leagues, check out our Dynasty Rankings. You can reach out to me directly @FFMadScientist on X, where you can also find and follow @IDPGuys!

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